Overview of Seattle Pacific University

Seattle Pacific University is a private Christian institution situated near downtown Seattle, Washington. Undergraduates can select from over 70 majors with sponsors such as psychology, business, and nursing being amongst the most popular. The institution has a 13-to-1 student/faculty ratio, and the majority of classes have under 30 students. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. In athletics, the SPU Falcons play in the NCAA Division II Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC).

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 3,688 (2,876 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 33 percent male/67 percent female
• 97 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $45,078
• Books: $900
• Room and Board: $12,285
• Other Expenses: $3,189
• Total Cost: $61,452

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 99 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 99 percent
  • Loans: 63 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $24,264
  • Loans: $7,214

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; Health Professions and Related Programs; Visual and Performing Arts; and Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 80 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 7%
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 53 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 68 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Crew-Rowing, Gymnastics, Soccer, Track and Field, Volleyball

Overview of Seattle Pacific University Admissions

Seattle Pacific University, which accepts over three-quarters of students, has a slightly selective admissions process. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. This institution has a robust admissions process that involves a multitude of academic measures. Applicants must complete an online application. A persuasive essay and glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices. Students should make a campus visit to determine if the institution is a good fit for them.

Admissions Data             

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, Seattle Pacific University had an acceptance rate of 90%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 90 students gained admission, making SPU’s admissions process less competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 84% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of SPU’s students score within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. 50% of students admitted to SPU scored between 520 and 630 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 520, and 25% scored over 630. 50% of students scored between 510 and 610 on the math part, while 25% scored under 510, and 25% scored over 610. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1240 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Seattle Pacific University.

ACT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 38% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most SPU students score within the top 48% nationally on the ACT. The median 50% of students admitted to Seattle Pacific University received a cumulative ACT score between 20 and 27, while 25% scored over 27, and 25% scored under 20.

GPA

In 2019, the mean high school GPA of Seattle Pacific University’s freshmen class was 3.51, and 56% of students had a mean GPA of 3.5 and over. Successful applicants to Seattle Pacific University have primarily high B grades.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Seattle Pacific University, it should be easy to gain admissions to the schools below. If Seattle Pacific University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

California State University Long Beach, San Jose State University, Pace University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Washington State University, University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas State University

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Seattle Pacific University, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

University of Oklahoma, Florida International University, University of Oregon, University of Alabama, Colorado State University, Quinnipiac University, Ohio University

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Seattle Pacific University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Syracuse University, United States Military Academy, Penn State University Park, Temple University, Seton Hall University

Applying to Seattle Pacific University

Application Deadline: February 1

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://spu.edu/undergraduate-admissions

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://spu.edu/undergraduate-admissions/apply

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://spu.edu/graduate-admissions

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://admissions.spu.edu/apply/